Does Cingular sell unlocked phones?

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They used to, dont think so any more.

 

They won't sell an unlocked model, but after a couple of months they will usually unlock it for you.

-Jay

 

You can Have it Unlocked in Asia
(mostly in small shops or even Shopping Malls)
for Less than Those who Unlocks them in the U.S.

 

I was in the same boat as you about 1.5 years ago. Cingular doesn't sell unlocked phones, but after receiving a V555 and contacting the right CS, I got the unlock codes. They did count the years of prior service I had with Cingular. It can take awhile to accomplish, so start early.

viewfly

 

I'm not sure. The best thing to do is call and try.

-Jay

 

They won't unlock the Blue service phones, as far as I know they still unlock the Orange lines after 2 months of service, but that could have changed.

You can have the phones unlocked here in the US, you can do a google search, or try this company http://www.unlockmyphonenow.com/
I used them & the code they emailed me didn't work, I shipped the phone to them & had it back within a week unlocked & they pay return shipping.

 

I hear is 90 days now, thay unlocked mine only after 30 days, guess i got lucky.

 

If I am not mistaken, I believe the official unlocking policy is that you must be a customer for a minimum of 90 days.

 

I am going to London soon, and was told by Cingular that they need at least 90 days, I had to join their network, (I'm with Alltell for 4 years) so I went to Ebay, and there are many sites that unlock phones, and others that sell unlocked phones, for reasonable prices. However, I looked up Vodaphone, who operates out of Gt. Britain, and their price for a recycled phone, plus some minutes, is cheaper than any service here in the US. I'll be buying phones there, and then selling them back on Ebay when I return to the US, and hopefully get my small investment back.

 

Why go through all that? Just buy an unlocked quad-band phone and use prepaid SIM cards when you travel internationally.

 

Glad everything worked out well for you, I plan on using them again in the future since I had the same good experience.

I always have a backup phone laying around just in case I loose, break or need to send my main phone out.

 

Fire, I just got a V557 from Cingular that I would like to get unlocked. I don't see the V557 listed on the pull down menu on the website that you recommended, what model did you use instead, the V551?

PS: I am going to try and get it unlocked through Cingular first but if it doesn't work out then I will go through your recommended site.

Thanks

 

Please let me know what David had to say. I worked with him for unlocking my At&t V600 and he was very helpful.

I am on the phone with Cingular right now requesting an unlock code from them. I will post the outcome of it.

Thanks

 

I just got off the phone with Cingular, they took all my information and said if my request was valid I will get an unlock code by E-Mail within 5 business days. My V557 is on a PrePay account but that should not make a diiference, I hope. If deny it for that reason I will switch SIM cards between my PostPay & PrePay accounts and try again....

 

Sorry I didn't get back to either of you on this, and glad you got an answer from the guy that does the unlocking, but it's too bad he can't help you yet. I am sure if the software just came out, he will get it soon and may even email you back Scrumhalf.
I had the 551 so it was on the list & now I am going to get the 540 unlocked now that I have my new toy the V635 .

 

You can get unlocked phone at the below places:

If you need a phone for your existing AT&T Wireless account, you can purchase an AT&T Wireless-branded TDMA or GSM phone from friends, family, co-workers, eBay, craytonelectronics.com, cellphoneshop.net, usedcellphones.com, craigslist.com, and several other sources. If you have a GSM account, there are many more options listed below.


In addition to eBay, unlocked GSM phones can also be purchased from Amazon, CellHut.com, Cellular Concepts, CompuPlus, Comp USA, MyWorldPhone, New Egg, Overseas Electronics, Plemix, Simoncells, Tiger Direct, and several other online sources. When purchasing anything from eBay, make sure that the seller has an excellent feedback rating. If you decide on a dual-band or tri-band GSM phone, verify that is for the North American market (850/1900 Mhz). A quad-band phone will be your safest bet. I have heard that unlocked GSM phones are also available from 7-11's SpeakOut prepay service and they also include starter airtime of $10. I have also heard from multiple sources that the Firefly is also unlocked. If you decide to pick up an unlocked phone, at a minimum you will have voice, SMS, and voicemail capability. Most third-party retailers sell brand new unlocked phones that have never been locked to any wireless carrier and in most cases you will be able to update the WAP browser & MMS settings. A one year warranty through the manufacturer is available if purchased from some of the third-party retailers listed above.

 

Jim17 or others: I have an AT&T account with a GMS phone. I am granfathered to my plan which is a better deal than the Cingular plans until I upgrade or need a new phone. I need a new phone and SIM card (due to water damage) but don't want to switch plans. If I get a phone from ebay/craigslist/whatever, can I program the SIM card to be "my" phone? I am not too phone-tech advanced so dumbed-down replies are appreciated! TIA,
Sarah

 

I received the unlock code for my V557 after two failed attempts. The first time they had noted the wrong IMEI no. and the second time they wanted to verify if it was an original Cingular number or ported in. So now I finally have my V557 unlocked.........

 

It's the one and only option I use. I loathe Cingular's branding, or any carrier branding for that matter, and their customization. For me, it's unlocked and unbranded (by carrier) for as long as the option exists.